The Grundy County Board of Education has accused a board member of telling teachers who to vote for, in a potential violation of Tennessee's Little Hatch Act.

In a statement, the board said the unnamed member went to Swiss Memorial School in Gruetli-Laager, Tennessee, for a teacher's retirement party May 17 and began quizzing teachers on where they lived and telling them how they should vote.

The Little Hatch Act, so called because it mirrors the federal version, addresses the political activity of state employees and officials, according to the Tennessee State Employees Association's website. This includes campaigning for or against a measure, party or individual candidate. It is unlawful for public officers or employees to use their position, authority or influence to interfere with an election or nomination for office. The act also bars state officials in a leadership role from intimidating or coercing public officials and employees to interfere with an election, nomination or measure.

The board member in question, identified by school officials as a woman, was not named in a statement posted to social media website by Director of Schools Clint Durley and board Chair Rick Rust.

According to Grundy County's Aug. 1 sample elections ballot, two of the five women on the board are up for reelection — Catrina Magouirk and Margaret Anne Thomas. The other women are Linda Broom, Phyllis Lusk and Nelda Stifel.

"This board member allegedly asked teachers where they lived and, based upon their answers, told them how they should vote in the upcoming board elections," the statement said. "She allegedly also said that, if they voted for certain board members, then the board would close Swiss Memorial, leaving the teachers without jobs."

Durley and Rust acknowledged no school board member has a right to speak on behalf of the board as a whole, and they said the board has never considered closing the school.

"If the board member suggested voting one way or the other could cost teachers their jobs, then this action was unfair, irresponsible and possibly criminal," the statement said.

Rust and Durley apologized for any anxiety the situation caused school staff and for any misinformation that was distributed at the school.

"If these acts of intimidation occurred as described to us, we wanted to assure you these actions do not reflect the values of the other members of your board of education," the statement said. "The board intends to address this matter at its next meeting. Meanwhile, we have also asked our board attorney to speak to the district attorney general for investigation into possible criminal prosecution."

District Attorney Courtney C. Lynch remained tight-lipped in an email Friday.

"We can't comment at this time other than to say information was given to us to evaluate whether a possible violation needs to be investigated," Lynch said.

The district attorney did not name the board member or say whether the board member had given a statement.